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Motorists and other road users have been urged by the Lagos State government to follow safety rules and measures in place to prevent disasters as a result of the ongoing construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange.
In a statement on Sunday by the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olujimi Hotonu, the government said with the level of ongoing construction work at the project site, drivers, commuters, road users and residents of the area should be vigilant and cautious of safety measures.
The project, which is being executed on behalf of the state government by Messrs Planet Projects, an indigenous firm, seeks to create a world class central business district with focus on transportation, security, environment and urban renewal.
The interchange has three-multi-storey bus terminals with waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands, drivers lounge, parking areas, conveniences, surveillance tower and CCTV gadgets.
Other features include accessible walkways, pedestrian bridges/sky-walks to link the three terminals, shopping malls with street lighting and a dedicated security team on ground.
Upon completion, the project would bring about organised transport system, boost intra-tourism for Oshodi, bequeath an iconic city gateway to the state, ensure secured and comfortable environment, as well as economic growth and job creation.
Speaking on the safety measures, Hotonu said: “In view of the fact that the Lagos state government places high premium on safety of lives and property of the people, we like to specifically urge road users along the corridor to avoid fallen object, deep holes, muddy road, dust, noise and heavy moving equipment crossing, among others.
“Furthermore, we like to counsel pedestrians to keep moving and stay safe when they are anywhere around the construction site in Oshodi. As a government, we are working hard to deliver the project on schedule and every effort needed to achieve it is being exerted.”
He noted that with the work on the project already at advanced stage, Oshodi was now experiencing free flow of traffic as a result of theTraffic System Management (TSM), adding that upon completion, the project would redefine public transportation and foster economic growth and job creation.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Planet Projects, Biodun Otunola, said over 1,000 piles (22m) and pile caps have been installed, while the three-multi-storey bus terminal buildings were at advanced stages of construction.
He said the cars and taxis parks were ongoing with massive walkway under construction, while lighting of the entire Oshodi area was ongoing, all of which were being done by over 500 workers on site.
Oshodi, arguably, is the busiest transport hub in Nigeria with over 5,600 buses loading per day and spread over 13 different motor parks, as well as over 200,000 passengers boarding per day, and about 1million pedestrians moving daily in the area, with about 76 per cent of the entire area dedicated to transport and related activities.
